Ajimobi commends founder of Kola Daisi University at inaugural meeting

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described education as the foundation of development and civilisation, saying “anyone who shows interest in helping in societal development and progress would be encouraged at all time by his administration.”

This, according to him, was the main objective of encouraging the establishment of the Kola Daisi University (KDU), Ibadan, adding that “I believe it is only fair that we encourage anyone regardless of the relationship who wants to help in the development of our state.”

Governor Ajimobi made this known last Thursday at the inauguration and joint meeting of the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of the Kola Daisi University (KDU), Ibadan, which took place at the university’s premises.

While he commended the founder of the university, Chief Kola Daisi, for his accomplishment in the history of the state, he also congratulated the newly inaugurated members of the board and the governing council, saying “when you look at the membership, you have not only intellectuals, but also accomplished Nigerians in their various fields.”

He challenged the leadership and management of the institution to take a cursory look at the area of funding, by coming up with a model to financially run the institution; to commit to providing quality education, as well as maintaining the sustainability of the university against all odds.

In his welcome address, Chief Kola Daisi thanked Governor Ajimobi for his influence and interest in education, saying “but for his help, it would not have been possible to get a location for this university.”

He acknowledged Ajimobi as the father of the institution, stating that “this is the first university to be promoted by an Ibadan indigene.”

“I have no hesitation in submitting to the chairman of the governing council and members the BoT that we owe our governor a debt of gratitude, which even the next generation may not  be able to adequately repay and not just as the founder, but as a member of the Kola Daisi family, I thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.”

In his remarks, the chairman of the BoT, Emeritus Professor O. O. Akinkugbe, noted that quality is non-negotiable when it comes to making KDU becoming one of the best universities in the world.

He declared his willingness and readiness to bring his wealth of experience to bear in running the affairs of the institution, noting that, a community with a terrain so alluring and the principal organs so well put together cannot but make the waves and bring immense credit and plaudits to its progenitors and generations to come.

In his acceptance speech, the pro-chancellor and chairman of council, Professor Adeniyi  Osuntogun, expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire members of the governing council to the founder and the BoT for the opportunity to contribute their own quota to the development of the new university.

At the meeting, Professor Kolawole Timothy Jaiyeoba was announced as the first vice chancellor of the university.

Other members of the BoT include Chief (Mrs) Sherifat Kola-Daisi, Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun, Chief Akin Olujinmi, Chief Biosun Salami, High Chief Biodun Kola-Daisi, Mrs Sumbo Obaseki, and Dr Ebun Dalemo.

Inaugurated as members of the governing council were Dr Tony Marinho, Mr Lekan Adegbite, Professor Oladapo Oladiti, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, Professor Dolapo Afolabi, Mallam Bashir Tukur, among others.